For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. (Hebrews 4:8-10, NKJV).
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the rest that You have provided for us. May we accept it by faith, and by Your grace live for Your glory. In the precious name of Jesus Christ we humbly pray. Amen and Amen!
God in His infinite wisdom provided us with the best gift anyone can give – time when He gave us the Sabbath. If we should ask our children and spouses, even some of our best friends, what they would like to receive from us we might be surprised to hear them say: “More of your time.” God’s gift of time to the human race has made time the gift par excellence!
Note what the author of Hebrews is saying: the rest that Joshua had promised the children of Israel was not given to them. For if they had received the rest promised he would not have spoken of another day.
It seems that the author is not speaking here about a regular twenty four hour period, or the rest we enjoy when we are physically tired. Obviously it is a symbolic day and rest that he is referring to. Evidence of this is that he compares human rest to the divine rest. When Christ finished His work of creation He rested, blessed, and sanctified the Sabbath day. The seventh day remains a permanent witness to the fact that Christ is Creator.
When Christ came to the end of His work of redemption He also rested in the tomb on the Sabbath day. With the sacrifice of His shed blood, He blesses and sanctifies all those who come to Him by faith and accept that sacrifice. And as a result we receive His gift of perfect rest – salvation by grace through faith. Therefore we can rest from our “works” because Jesus paid in full the price of our salvation!
Isn’t that Good News? Now all you and I have to do is accept His gift and allow the Holy Spirit to enter our hearts and live out His perfect life in us. If you have entered that covenant of rest with Jesus – just rest from Your works. His works have You covered! Have a Happy Sabbath!